Live Gospel Music at Pineville Square

The Chuck Wagon Gang brought harmony from the heavens to Pineville Square on Sunday. It was an inspiring, uplifting experience for those who attended.

This was a free concert that included a free dinner following the concert thanks to McDonald County Telephone Company. The Pineville Fire Department served the dinner.

The Chuck Wagon Gang are famed gospel singers dating back 80 years. New people joined the group over the years, but the sounds and legacy of the original quartet continue.

Members of the group are Shaye Smith, Stan Hill, Jeremy Stephens and Julie Hudson.

D.P. Carter formed the group in 1935 with his son, Ernest, and daughters, Lola and Effie. The group began working at a small Lubbock, Texas, radio station. By 1936, the Chuck Wagon Gang was recording for the American Record Corporation. They went on to Columbia Records and remained with them for more than 40 years. At one point, they were Columbia’s top-selling group with more than 37 million in record sales.

In addition to performing in numerous areas in the country, The Chuck Wagon Gang has been featured on the Public Broadcasting Service network reaching more than 94 percent of American homes.

Some of their top sound tracks are: “I’ll Fly Away,” “Standing on the Promises,” “After the Sunrise,” “As the Life of a Flower” and “We are Climbing.”

“I’ll Fly Away,” the most recorded song ever, is not new to McDonald County because it was written by Albert E. Brumley, who is a legend here. For several years, Brumley lived in Powell, where he drew most of his inspiration for his gospel, Americana and country music.

The Chuck Wagon Gang sings a lot of songs written by Brumley.

Pineville is fortunate to be hosting this famous group. Earlier this month, they were part of the star-studded line-up of gospel music’s most celebrated artists appearing at the 48th Brumley Gospel Sing at the Mabee Center in Tulsa. They appeared Aug. 30 at Silver Dollar City in Branson.

The Chuck Wagon Gang has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and the Grand Ole Opry. The group was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institution’s classic American recordings.

Chuck Wagon Gang CDs can be purchased at www. chuckwagongang.com.

RITA GREENE/MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS The Chuck Wagon Gang entertained a large crowd Sunday at Pineville Square with a free concert of gospel music. Left to right: Stan Hill, Shaye Smith, Julie Hudson, and Jeremy Stephens on the guitar.

RITA GREENE/MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS The Chuck Wagon Gang, left to right: Stan Hill, Shaye Smith, Julie Hudson, and Jeremy Stephens on the guitar. This was a free concert of gospel music on Pineville Square Sunday.